Latvia blowout Turkey behind Kristaps Porzingis performance / News - Basketnews.com

Kristaps Porzingis leads Latvia in a blowout win against Turkey in Riga for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers in Group I.

Credit: Fotodiena.lt/M.Baranauskas Credit Fotodiena.lt/M.Baranauskas

Latvia and Kristaps Porzingis, who ended up with 22 points and 14 rebounds, didn't have much trouble against a talented Turkish national team and won with the final score of 111-85 (31-20, 25-27, 31,16, 24-22) in Riga.

Player of the Game EFF 30 Kristaps Porzingis Points 22 Accuracy 6-13 Rebounds 14 Assists 3

After the win, Latvia (4-1) sits alone at the top of group I, but Greece (3-1) has a chance to get on even footing after a game against Serbia (1-3). While Turkey (2-3) drops into 4th place and a difficult position in Group I after the loss.

Latvia had a 13-2 run in the third quarter to increase their lead to 20 points (74-54) with 4:24 left in the quarter. After that Latvia only increased their lead and cruised to a victory.

Turkey managed to stay within a fighting distance only for the first half of the game against an impressive Latvia. After the first two-quarters Latvia was leading by 9 points (56-47).

Latvia gained a double-digit lead (26-16) as soon as 2:10 left in the first quarter after Davis Bertans converted on a fade-away 3-pointer.

For Latvia, Kristaps Porzingis who ended up with 22 points (3/6 2PT, 3/7 3PT, 7/10 FT), 14 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Turkey was led by Cedi Osman, who finished the game with 15 points (3/5 2 PT, 2/6 3PT, 3/3 FT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists,

Latvia: Kristaps Porzingis 22 (14 REB, 6 BLK), Davis Bertans 17, Rihards Lomazs 15, Rolands Smits 11;

Turkey: Cedi Osman 15 (4 REB), Shane Larkin 15, Sehmus Hazer 12, Erxhan Osmani 12, Furkan Korkmaz 10.

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